Distemper Outbreak: Amarillo Area

This story came to me in an email. Remember, even though it is in Amarillo, people are traveling with their pets and since this disease is spread by fomites--bits of “sneeze,” eye discharge, etc., it can expose your pet as well so be especially diligent at public places, etc. Thanks to the work of Project Hope, my readers, Kind Hearts in Action and of course, the brilliant Dr. Alson Sears, there is now a treatment for distemper so don’t panic!

Emily Miller and her family, of Claude, adopted Izzy, a German shepherd mixed-breed dog, from Amarillo Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After about two weeks, Miller started to notice Izzy wasn’t acting normally.

“She wanted to sleep all the time and developed a horrible cough,” Miller said by email Monday.

They had taken Izzy multiple times to a vet, where the dog had received her shots. Izzy had tested negative for Parvo and Distemper.

“We thought we were in the clear and it was just kennel cough,” Miller said.

After about a week, Izzy stopped coughing, but started constantly sleeping and had no appetite. Miller also had noticed Izzy’s eyes started to get red and watery, and a subsequent vet visit revealed Izzy was showing signs of canine distemper, a virus Hope Veterinary Clinic Dr. Sarah Viera said has seen an unusual spike in the area over…

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Mebs: From Under the Bridge Mascot

I've been an animal rescuer and advocate since forever! I remember bringing home every size, breed, type of animal, bird, reptile to my parent's house--and then carried it over to my adult life. When I saw there was a need to help disabled animals, I co-founded the Rescue Ranch in Houston (http://hopeformany.org) and need angels to help with some of the supplies/wish list items. I've been writing the Pet's blog for the Houston Chronicle since 2008 after 15 years of writing for newspapers and magazines as well as rescuing/advocating for animals. I hope you join me there, too: http://blog.chron.com /fromunderthebridge. Hugs from the Herd! (Our baby, Mebbie or Mebs, is this blog's mascot. She is the reason that so many have lived. Sending kisses to heaven...)